Ron Dennis, driven to the end

The decision by Ron Dennis to take a step back is unlikely to slow down Lewis Hamilton

The fact that there is nothing metaphorical about the pain of defeat as far as Ron Dennis is concerned should reassure supporters of Lewis Hamilton who are worried that the news that the McLaren boss is likely to announce he will be taking on another role this week, could hinder the young driver.

If Dennis believed what he has referred to as "taking a badge off and giving it to someone else" would have an adverse effect on a driver whose career he has nurtured, and subsequently been rewarded by the emergence of a talent that Sir Frank Williams said last week was comparable to that of Jim Clark, it almost certainly wouldn't be happening. It is only the knowledge that his enemies will seize on any announcement as the beginning of the end for a man who has become one of the most successful team owners in a ferociously